Ashtami, Navami 19 Oct, Dussehra 20 Oct 2026: Vijay Muhurat 1:59 PM

Why Ashtami and Navami fall on one day

Ashtami tithi runs from 8:29 AM on 18 October to 10:53 AM on 19 October, and then Navami begins, lasting until 12:52 PM on 20 October. According to Drik Panchang, when Ashtami and Navami meet before evening on the Ashtami day, the Ashtami and Navami pujas, Sandhi Puja included, are done that same day. So Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri are both worshipped on 19 October.

Sandhi Puja is held in the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami: 10:29 AM to 11:17 AM on 19 October. It is set by the change of tithi, so it is the same in Indian time all over India. These times run about 2 minutes later than Drik Panchang’s (Drik: Sandhi Puja 10:27–11:15 AM).

Kanya Puja and the parana

• Kanya Puja is done on Ashtami or Navami by family custom; this year Drik Panchang gives Kumari Puja on 19 October.
• The Navratri parana is on 20 October after Navami ends, after 12:52 PM; many families break the fast after Kanya Puja.
• Families who keep Navami on 20 October should follow their own purohit.

Dussehra: 20 October

Dashami tithi runs from 12:52 PM on 20 October to 2:13 PM on 21 October. Dussehra is kept on the day Dashami holds in the Aparahna kaal, and on 20 October the Aparahna kaal in New Delhi is 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM. Shami puja, Aparajita puja and Simollanghan are done in this time; within it, the Vijay muhurat (the eleventh muhurta of the day) is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM.

By tradition the day marks Rama’s victory over Ravana (Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda) and the Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura (Durga Saptashati). In North India Ravana’s effigy is burnt in the evening, after sunset (5:47 PM in New Delhi), at the end of the Ramlila; the local organisers set the time. In Bengal the Durga images are immersed on Vijaya Dashami, 21 October.